The purpose of this assignment is to help you increase your understanding of the science behind the popular news articles we reviewed in class from Above the Fold and how to take a position on an issue and support it using the scientific literature.

A summary of the news story from Above the Fold that you have selected ( https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2018/10/19/us-fertility-rates-collapse-finger-pointing-blame-follow/?utm_term=.40957674a882) for this assignment (including the APA formatted citation) and the position that you will be arguing in the essay.

Persuading your freshman cousin to take your position on an environmental health issue

Your environmental activist cousin just enrolled as a freshman at UMD College Park. She is excited to join a student environmental group to help with a variety of campaigns. She tells you that her group plans to work on a current environmental health issue that has been highlighted recently in Above the Fold. You are concerned that your cousin may be taking a position on a high profile environmental health issue with little background understanding of the underlying science, stakeholder interests and environmental sustainability concerns associated with this issue. Also you don’t agree with her position. referencing at least 3 scholarly peer-reviewed research articles to support your position on the topic.

Essay Requirements: Your persuasive analysis should be communicated using the following format:

1. Title Page: Use APA style title page
2. Introduction: Your introduction should catch the reader's attention and put your paper topic in context. Remember your audience is a student led environmental group. The introduction should also include a thesis or focus statement. Thesis/focus statement is your position on the topic. The thesis/focus should be one sentence in length and in the first paragraph. This is the foundation of your essay and it will serve to guide you in writing the entire paper. The introduction should provide some background on your topic by introducing your article from the popular press (Above the Fold), potential stakeholders and a preview of the your supporting arguments. Be sure to transition to the next section with a sentence or two that provides closure to the introduction and moves the reader to your argument.
3. Presenting your arguments to support your position: In the next 3 paragraphs present your arguments. The next 3 paragraphs should address you arguments and should include a topic sentence explaining your point and reasons supported by the scholarly scientific articles that you find using the library databases, your findings from the popular press article, relevant course material, and your own insights. Be sure to describe how your position addresses an environmental sustainability principle such as 1) Triple Bottom Line; 2) True Cost Accounting; 3) the Precautionary Principle; or 4) Environmental Justice. You might state possible concessions toward an opposing argument, but then go back to elaborate your point. End with a clincher.
4. Acknowledge opposing arguments: In one paragraph describe possible opposing point(s) to your argument and who might have those opposing points of view (other stakeholders).
5. Conclusion: Your final paragraph should be a conclusion and should restate/summarize your main points or reasons, restate your thesis, and your recommendation on what action(s) your cousin’s student environmental group could pursue to address the issue or what they should believe about the issue.
6. References: Cite appropriate references in the body of your paper and in a reference section at the end of the paper. You must cite at least 3 original research articles from scholarly peer-reviewed research journals. Minimize use of websites as references. Use the American Psychological Association (APA) Style Manual for your references.